A Guide To Blue Sky Disney-Speak...

Well, I've gotten a few e-mails over the summer that have asked me what certain terms I used meant or for a clearer explanation of something. Some of you will remember my post on "Creatives Vs. Suits" that was published a while back... I guess it was time I created a mini-dictionary... a guide sort of. One that explains terms used on this blog so that visitors new to Blue Sky DIsney can catch up...

Here we go:

Battle For Pooh - The long, ongoing fight between the Slesinger family and the Walt Disney Company over the rights to the billions-of-dollars-generating characters.

Blue Sky Alert - A Blue Sky Alert is when we publish a detailed account of the goings on in Glendale(read: WDI)... it most likely will refer to things happening at the Disneyland Resort, but periodically we'll have Alerts about Walt Disney World, Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong. There are no specific times that these are published, it usually happens when my Bothans have gotten/given sufficient information to make a post worthwhile...

Bothans - Speaking of the Devil... Bothans are my sources throughout the Walt Disney Company. Some are Corporate, Animators, Imagineers and a few Cast Members. Oh, and the term for you that aren't Sci-Fi Geeks comes from "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi" where Mon Mothra was describing how "many Bothans died to bring us this information"...

Convergence - This is a term used only recently to describe a coming together of information, technology and the ability to have action to create a change. Basically, it's the power of the new media(read: blogs, YouTube, cable and other sources) to influence and educate people... in our case, Disney Geeks/Fans.

Creative, A - The ones within the Walt Disney Company that believe in creativity. Art is the highest achievement. The creation of something noble, something entertaining that captivates the observer. These would be the Imagineers, the directors, writers and other storytellers with in the company.

Disney Geek/Fan - If you are new to this site, please take a moment to go to the mirror, look in it and then come back. Are you back? Chances are you now know what one of these is...

Eeyore, A - A person that is exceedingly, unnecessarily negative. Even if there heart is pure, they forecast doom and gloom without noticing it.

Forgotten Mouse Tales - Movie projects that were under development at Walt Disney Studios that were never made for a variety of reasons.

Fun Factories - An endearing term used as a nick-name for Walt Disney Parks across the world.

Glendale Kingdom, The - Blue Sky Disney's description of the business complex in Glendale that houses Walt Disney Imagineering, DIsney Toons and Walt Disney Animation Studios(Walt Disney Television Animation is located on the studio lot in Burbank).

Golden Age, First - This is the time usually referred to the period from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" through Bambi and basically includes the first five Disney films: Snow White, Pinocchio, Fantasia, Dumbo and Bambi.

Golden Age, Second - This is the time usually refereed to the period from "The Little Mermaid" through "The Lion King" and from Blue Sky's view actually includes these DIsney films: The Great Mouse Detective, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King.

Lamp, The - Slang for Pixar Animation Studios.

Mouse, The - Slang for the Walt Disney Company.

Mouse Traps - Originally a description of the new off-site properties and entertainment centers that Jay Rasulo has planned for the company. Usually used to refer to projects/attractions that Disney planned on building to seperate guests and their cash.

Nerdvana - Slang used to describe the San Diego Comic Con. If you've ever been there... you know why we use it.

Old Maestro, The - Not a term we came up with, but one used periodically here at BSD. It was a nick-name given to Walt referring to his ability to grasp creative talent and play it like a symphony.

Owl, A - Someone who bloviates on and on about a subject... hey, whatayoulooking at?

Pooh, A - Someone who is exceedingly, unrepentantly positive. A person who always sees the bright spots and is contagiously optimistic without noticing it.

Rabbit, A - Someone that is a pragmatist. One who goes about their belief that good can happening, but preparing for the worst and expecting it.

Suit, A - These are the people whose main concern is the bottom line. The essential part of the company where cost is all that matters. Everything has to be looked at through the prism of how it affects the bottom line. You've heard the term "Money is God"... well, these are the true believers.

Uncle John - Our endearing term for John Lasseter... a homage to the dear founder of our obsession, your host... Walt Disney.

Virtual Shareholder - A term used to describe the internet community of Disney Geeks/Fans that use their keyboards to display love and affection or hatred and venom toward the actions of the Walt Disney Company and its Executives.

As time goes by I'm sure we'll develope more to add to this short list...